Italy’s most significant concert venues – St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Francis

The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have a long and distinguished history as two of the world’s most important places of Christian pilgrimage. In 1986 and 2002, Pope John Paul II gathered with more than 120 representatives of different religions and Christian denominations at St. Francis Basilica for a World Day of Prayer for Peace.

Both churches also played an important role in the development of sacred music. The "Cappella Giulia” is the choir of St. Peter's Basilica that sings for all solemn functions of the Vatican Chapter such as Holy Mass, Lauds, and Vespers, when these are not celebrated by the Pope. For functions celebrated by the Pope, the Sistine Chapel Choir sings instead. The choir has played a central role as an interpreter and proponent of Gregorian Chants and Sacred Polyphony. Among the Cappella Giulia's choir masters were esteemed names such as Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

The “Cappella Musicale della Basilica Papale di San Francesco” goes back to fra’ Giuliano da Spira, who in 1230 was appointed to write a “rhythmic divine liturgy” in honor of St. Francis and was probably the first choir master of the new Basilica. In the Middle Ages, the basilica and convent were an important center for the study of sacred music and many of the ancient manuscripts are preserved in the library of the “Sacro Convento”. Today, the Upper and Lower Basilicas together with the friary are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perform International’s Great Basilicas of Italy Festival gives you and your singers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and experience this unique combination of music and history. Sing in two sacred spaces where secular and spiritual world leaders have prayed for peace and where many famous composers and conductors have performed. Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies at Missouri State University, will program inspiring repertoire that fits the long history of these two amazing concert venues.